One of the biggest storylines in the NFL wrapped up this week as the standoff between the Green Bay Packers and Aaron Rodgers came to a close. The two sides worked out a deal that ensured Rodgers would be back with the Packers for at least the 2021 season.
Green Bay has their franchise quarterback back in the fold, but the future is still cloudy. There is still a very good chance that this season is the last one that Rodgers plays in the green and gold, as the team will eventually be turned over to Jordan Love.
If Rodgers is put on the block following this season, there will be several teams interested in acquiring the future Hall of Famer.
Here are five of the best potential landing spots for Aaron Rodgers in 2022.
5. Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers had some quarterback questions of their own during the 2021 offseason. Long-time starter Ben Roethlisberger contemplated retirement but ultimately decided to come back for at least one more season.
If he decides to hang them up after 2021, the Steelers will require a quarterback. Mason Rudolph is not the long-term answer and unless Dwayne Haskins shows something during the offseason, he probably isn’t either.
This is a roster built to win now, so pursuing someone such as Aaron Rodgers next offseason makes sense. They have a dominant defense and weapons galore on offense that any quarterback would love to throw the ball to.
A messy cap situation will be difficult to overcome, but you pull some strings if it means landing a player such as Rodgers.
4. Las Vegas Raiders
The 2021 season is a big one for the Las Vegas Raiders. It is the fourth season Jon Gruden will be the head coach for and the team wants to finally break through and make the postseason. A lot of pressure will be on quarterback Derek Carr to help them succeed this season.
Carr has improved every season in Gruden’s system, but unless he has a great season that ends in a playoff appearance, the team could move on from him next offseason. Without a young quarterback waiting in the wings, the Raiders could target a veteran such as Aaron Rodgers to help get them over the hump.
This regime did not draft Carr, so there are not any ties to him. If the opportunity to upgrade arises, they will jump at the chance.
3. New York Giants
2021 will be the second year under head coach Joe Judge for the New York Giants. The first season was pretty good, all things considered, as the team fought hard every week despite being at a talent deficiency at some positions.
This season, they are expecting another step in the right direction with Daniel Jones taking a third-year leap. The selection of Jones 6th overall in 2019 was unexpected and he has yet to show that he should be the team’s long-term quarterback with his play.
If he struggles again in 2021, the Giants make for a great landing spot for Rodgers. This team is loaded with weapons offensively, as the team looks to make things as easy as possible for Jones to produce. With a talented defense on the other side of the ball, quarterback play is all that is keeping New York from being NFC East favorites and a team no one would want to see in the playoffs.
2. Washington Football Team
The Washington Football Team won the NFC East in 2020 with a record of 7-9. The team had three different players start games in the regular season and a fourth start their playoff game.
They brought in Ryan Fitzpatrick this offseason to help shore things up and he should be able to do that for at least one season. But, if the opportunity arises to snag Aaron Rodgers, it is one they have to jump at.
Look what Washington accomplished last season without steady quarterback play. Put Rodgers under center with the improved supporting cast Washington has put together and with their young, budding defense and this team is starting to look like a contender in the NFC.
1. Denver Broncos
Throughout the offseason when quarterback rumors were swirling, the Denver Broncos were one of the teams mentioned as a possible landing spot. Deshaun Watson was a player linked to Denver before his off-field issues, eventually trading for Teddy Bridgewater from the Carolina Panthers.
Even with the Bridgewater acquisition, the Broncos should still be looking for a quarterback upgrade in 2022. It is the only thing keeping them from competing in a loaded AFC West division, as their skill position groups and defense stack up with the rest of the division.
Watching Aaron Rodgers face-off with Patrick Mahomes and Justin Herbert twice a season each would be a treat for all football fans.
